320 



RUINS OF QUEMADA. 



declivity, the height is eighteen feet ; and apparently there have been 

 steps by which to ascend to a quadrangular space, having a broad 

 terrace around it, and extending east one hundred feet by a width 

 of fifty. In the centre of this enclosure is another bowl-shaped pit, 

 somewhat wider than the first. Hence we began our ascent to the 

 upper works, over a well buttressed yet ruined w r all built of the 

 rock. Its height on the steepest side is twenty-one feet, and the 

 width on the summit, which is level, with an extensive platform, is 

 the same. This is a double wall of ten feet, having been first con- 

 structed and then covered with a very smooth kind of cement, after 

 which the second has been built against it. The platform, (which 

 faces to the south, and may, to a certain extent, be considered as a 

 ledge from the cliff,) is eighty-nine feet by seventy-two ; and on its 

 northern centre stand the ruins of a square building, having within 

 it an open space of ten feet by eight, and of the same depth. In 

 the middle of the quadrangle is to be seen a mound of stones eight 

 feet high. A little farther on we entered by a broad opening be- 

 tween the perfect and massive walls, to a square of one hundred and 

 fifty feet. This space was surrounded on the south-east and west 

 by an elevated terrace of three feet by twelve in breadth, having in 

 the centre of each side steps by which to descend to the square. 

 Each terrace was backed by a wall of tw T enty-eight feet by eight or 

 nine. From the south are two broad entrances, and on the east is 

 one of thirty feet, communicating with a perfect enclosed square of 

 one hundred feet, while on the west is one small opening, leading to 

 an artificial cave or dungeon, of which I shall presently speak. 



" To the north, the square is bounded by the steep mountain ; 

 and, in the centre of that side, stands a pyramid of seven ledges or 

 stages, which in many places are quite perfect. It is flat topped, 

 has four sides, and measures at the base thirty-eight by thirty-five 

 feet, while in height it is nineteen. Immediately behind this, and 

 on all that portion of the hill that presents itself to the square, are 

 numerous tiers of seats either broken in the rock or built of rough 

 stones. In the centre of the square, and due south of the pyramid, 

 is a small quadrangular building, seven feet by five in height. The 

 summit is imperfect, but has unquestionably been an altar ; and from 

 the whole character of the space in which it stands, the peculiar 

 form of the pyramid, the surrounding terrace, and the seats or steps 

 on the mountain, there can be little doubt that this has been the 

 grand Hall of Sacrifice or Assembly, or perhaps both. 



" Passing to the westward, we next saw some narrow enclosed 

 spaces, apparently portions of an aqueduct leading from some tanks 



